Romanian director Mungiu wins Palme d'Or at Cannes for "Fjord"

Romanian director Cristian Mungiu has won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his film "Fjord."

The award marks a significant achievement for Mungiu, who previously won the same honor in 2007 for "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days." "Fjord" is Mungiu's first English-language film and his first since "R.M.N." in 2022. The drama explores the story of a Romanian-Norwegian family living in an isolated Norwegian community, focusing on a couple's tense conflict with social services over child-rearing practices and the boundaries of parental education.

The film delves into sensitive themes such as institutional control, individual freedom, and the clash of different cultural values, building psychological tension throughout. "Fjord" had already garnered attention at the festival, receiving the François Chalais Prize, which honors films that embody the spirit and ethics of journalism, prior to its Palme d'Or win.

Other notable films recognized at the festival include "The Dreamed Adventure" by German director Valeska Grisebach, which received the Jury Prize. The screenwriting award went to Emmanuel Marre for "Notre salut," and the Best Actress award was shared by Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto for their roles in Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "All of a Sudden." The Best Actor award was given to Emmanuel Macchia and Valentin Campagne for their performances in Lukas Dhont's "Coward." The Caméra d'Or for best debut feature was awarded to Marie Clementine Dusabejambo's "Ben'Imana."